Declaring food allergens on products is not only required by law in many countries but is also very important and potentially life-saving to millions of individuals. Something that I am guessing many people have not thought about, as I know I have not, is translating your food labels for production in other countries. Two companies, one from Japan and one from Tokyo, have recently been fined thousands due to their failure to translate their food allergen declarations into English. After Tokyo Food Company shipped Seasoned Seaweed Salad to New Zealand, It was noticed that many of their packages did not comply with local rules and regulations because they didn’t declare soy. Japan Mart 2014 Company imported potato chips which included scallops and bonito fish on the Japanese food label but did not translate these ingredients to English. Also, in Whales, a pub owner refused to provide allergen information to a hypersensitive milk person with a severe allergy. He had a sign up that stated, “We are unable to cater to customers with food allergies.” but was still prosecuted and fined nearly $2,500. It is clear that New Zealand, like the U.S., takes food labeling for allergens very seriously and will enforce punishments on anyone who doesn’t meet the requirements. I think that this is great and extremely vital to millions of individuals around the world.
Link to original source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/09/allergen-failings-prompt-fines-in-new-zealand-and-wales/